The Goldendoodle, a beloved hybrid breed, emerged in the late 1990s when breeders crossed Golden Retrievers and Poodles. Inspired by the Labradoodle’s success in providing hypoallergenic options, this new breed with its low to non-shedding coat quickly gained popularity. Goldendoodles come in a variety of sizes. Donnelly Doodles is currently breeding Standard (i.e., full size) English Goldendoodles; a cross between a Standard Poodle and an English Golden Retriever.
Goldendoodles are sociable, intelligent, and eager to please, inheriting these traits from their parent breeds. Poodles and Golden Retrievers score in the top 4 of the 150 smartest dog breeds. Their low to non-shedding coats and friendly temperament make them ideal for service work and family life.
Thanks to “Hybrid Vigor,” which enhances health by mixing unrelated breeds, Goldendoodles tend to outlive their parent breeds. Careful genetic, orthopedic and cardiac screening, as done by Donnelly Doodles, helps to ensure improved health.
Goldendoodles are friendly and sociable and tend to have a gentle temperament. They are very loyal and affectionate companions, craving human interaction and attention. They thrive on being part of the family and are likely to follow you around the house. They are highly intelligent and trainable and have a good amount of energy and love to play. Regular exercise and mental stimulation (such as quality playtime, interactive toys and training exercises) are essential to keep them happy and healthy.
Goldendoodles are often chosen by people who prefer a dog with minimal shedding or who are looking for a more allergy-friendly dog. However, it’s important to note that their coat can vary, and some Goldendoodles may still shed a bit. Regular grooming and maintenance are necessary to keep their coat healthy.
Goldendoodles are a hybrid dog breed resulting from the crossbreeding of a Poodle and Golden Retriever. As with any mixed breed, their general health and longevity can vary depending on various factors, including genetics, diet, exercise, and overall care. Goldendoodles often benefit from hybrid vigor, which means they may have a lower risk of inheriting certain genetic health issues that are common in their parent breeds. In addition to orthopedic and cardiovascular screening, Donnelly Doodles conducts genetic screening of sires and dams to make certain they are free of any known genetic traits linked to disease. We also conduct a genetic screen on all puppies so adoptive parents and their vets have peace of mind.
A well-balanced diet is essential to keep your Goldendoodle happy and healthy. Choose a high-quality dog food. We recommend Purina Pro Plan, Hills Science Diet, Iams, Eukanuba, Royal Canin or PawTree.
Regular exercise and mental stimulation are important for these energetic and highly intelligent dogs. Make sure they get regular walks and quality playtime. Interactive toys and training sessions really help give them the mental stimulation needed.
Goldendoodles have coats that grow continuously, so they require regular grooming, usually every 6-8 weeks. It is critical that you regularly brush AND COMB your goldendoodle between grooming session! The cost of grooming depends on the size of the dog, the frequency of grooming and where you live. In Central Illinois, a grooming session typically costs $60-85 (assuming that you have been brushing and combing your dog between sessions!) You can also learn (with time and practice!) to do your own grooming at home.
